Rotary engine



M. A. WIMBERLEY.

ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1920.

1,38 1,53 1 Patented J 11116 14, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Invezzzfior M5022 irz'mberley torrzeyi M. A. WIMBERLEY.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I6, I920.

. 1,381,531 I Patented June 14, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 11119 14, 1921.

Application filed March 16, 1920. Serial No. 386,343.

To a? Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Mason A. WIMBER- LEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oxnard in the county of Ventura and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to prime motors and particularly to rotary internal combustion engines and has for its object to provide an engine of this character that is extremely simple in construction and arrangement of its parts and that is operative on eight power stroke principle and using duplex explosion chambers and a single rotor with quadruple expansion pockets. A further object is'to provide for the eflicientcompression of charges; their effective-subsequent combustion and the discharge of the burnt gases. The invention consists of the construction, the combination, and in details and arrangements of the parts an embodiment of which invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described and claimed hereinafter.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a form of the motor a portion of whichis broken away with parts in section.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the rotor in a different angular position.

Fig. 3 isa section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on a larger scale of one of the compression and one of the explosion chambers.

Fig. 6 is a cross section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The motor includes a circular or c lindrical wall 2 with end walls in the orm of disks 3 and 4 and the casing thus formed may be appropriately supported on any foundation or supporting structure and as shown the casing is provided with a set of lugs 5 apertured to receive fastening screws or bolts not shown.

Within this casing there is rotatively fitted a rotor or wheel 6 that is keyed or otherwise secured on a shaft 7 either or both ends of which may pass through hub portions of the end Walls 3-4. The rotor 6 has a generally cylindrical peri hery closel fitting the circular wall 2'ang the cylin rical face of the rotor is provided with a plurality of comparatively shallow pockets or recesses 8 the bottoms of which are concentric to the center of the rotor and the end walls of which recesses are oblique as to the diametrical line passing therethrough; the end walls 9 and 10 of each pocket 8 diverging out from the bottom of the pocket. In the present engine the rotor has four pockets that are arranged at 90 respectively from each other around therotor. The pockets extend entirely across the cylindrical face of the rotor.

At diametrically opposite sides of the casing 2 there are provided outwardly extending compression chambers 11 having each a radial hollow wall 12 in which is arranged a spring or springs 13 re-acting on a radial plate movable into and out of the pockets on wall 12 in sequence with the passage of the inclined walls 9 and 10 of each of the pockets 8 during the rotation of the rotor so that as a pocket 8 passes in the direction of the arrow on the rotor in Fig. 2 the plate 14 moves downwardly into the pocket 8 and remains-in the inner position resting on the bottom of the pocket 8 until the plate is encountered by the approaching inclined surface 9 whereupon the plate 14 is forced inwardly against its spring or springs 13. The plates 14 on diametrically opposite sides of the engine operate in the manner as above described.

Pivoted on a trunnion or pivot 15 in the outer portion of each wall 12 and extending from the pivot in the direction of the rotation of the rotor 6 is a hollow member 16 in the form of a tube of approximately rectangular cross section with its sides snugly fitting inside the casing walls 3 and 4 to pass into the wall 2 of the casing and into each recess 8 as the rotor turns; the circular wall 2 having an aperture 2 to permit such inward movement of each chamber 16. The free end of each chamber 16 is curved on a line concentric to the pivot 15 and is operative in loose position to an outstanding head portion 17 provided on the casing 2 so as to form. a closure for the open outer end of the chamber 16 and cover the chamber when it is in its outer position as in Fig. 1. The outer end of the chamber 16 is uncovered as it moves into a pocket 8 as shown in Figs. 2 and'5.

With the rotor 6 in the position shown in Fig. 2 two of the pockets 8 are presented to the chambers 11 and 16 with the latter swung inwardly by suitable means comprising, for instance, push rods 18 connected at their outer ends to the pivots as at 19, on the sides of respective members 16 and being radially uided in bearings 20 provided on the end disk or wall 4:, for instance. The inner ends of the push rods 18 are engageable and operative by a suitable cam wheel 21 fixed on the shaft 7 and operative to push the rods 18. with their connected members 1.6 outwardly in proper sequence with movement of the rotor 6 and timed to remove the members 16 from thecrecesses 8 as the recesses pass from position adjacent to the members 16. The push rods are normally pressed inwardly by means of springs 22 of which there is one coiled on each rod 18 although other suitable means may be utilized. The springs re-act between bearings 20 and pins 22 forming seats on the rods 18.

When the rotor is in the position as shown in ig. 2 the combustion chambers or members 16 have just moved inwardly and at the same time an alternate pair of the recesses 8 are disposed in a position'relative to opposite, radially extending pockets 25 in which are yieldingly mounted sliding plates 26 that may be automatically moved inwardly as by means of a spring or springs 27, Fig. 3, in the pockets 25 these plates being moved outwardly by the successively following shoulders 9 at the end of the recesses 8. Adjacent one side of-each pocket 25 is provided a fuel intake port 28 adapted by connection to a suitable source of supply and on the opposite side of the-pocket 25 is an exhaust outlet 29 and as the rotor turns as indicated in Fig. 2 as each of the lates 26 moves inwardly and down a passmg shoulder 10 there is formed a suction pocket adjacent to each fuel inlet 28 and so long as one of the pockets 8 is passing an inlet 28 a charge of fuel is being taken in and at the same time burnt gases and products of combustion are being expelled from pockets on the side registering with the exhaust ports. The pockets passing from the intake ports approach the movable blades 14 and as the pocket walls or shoulders 10 pass beneath these plates the latter extending inwardly to run on the bottom of the pockets and thus divert the fuel charge from the adjacent pocket 8 and cause it to becompressed inthe adjacent compression chamber 11. v

Each of these compression chambers 11 is provided with means communicating with the compression chambers 16 and as here shown this means includes a flexible tube or conduit 30 leading from a wall of the charm ber 11 over to the rear end of the adjacent chamber 16. Back flow of pressurein the chamber 16 into the conduit 30 is prevented as by a check valve 31. Suitable means to ignite a fresh charge of fuel'in the chambers 16 may comprise spark plug 32 mounted on each chamber 16. As will be seen from Fig. 1 a fuel charge is being compressed in each chamber 11 and combustion chamberl6. while the latter are in their outermost positions, and for purpose of protecting the parts in the event of premature explosion a safety valve 33 is provided, in this case mounted in the head part 17 for each chamber 16. As a pocket 8 moves from a position in Fig. 1 to a position in Fig. 5 the charged chambers 16 move inwardly permitting the compressed charge to pass into the leading portion ofan adjacent pocket 8 at just about which time the charge is ignited and re-action of the pressures applied to the shoulders or faces 10 and force thus transmitted to the rotor and the shaft.

From the above it will be seen that for each rotation of the rotor 6 there are four explosions for each explosion or combustion chamber 16 and as there are shown two of these the rotor receives eight impulses per revolution.

Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention as claimed.

That is claimed is:

1. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a casing and an inner member,

said parts relatively rotative to each other; the inner member having a plurality of recesses in its circumference; sliding elements yieldingly mounted in the casing and movable into and out of the pockets of the inner member upon relative rotation of the casing and said member; a compression chamber on one side of certain of said sliding elements; an oscillating combustion chamber communicating with each compression chamber; whereby upon relative rotation of the casing and said member fuel charges are successively compressed and delivered into the combustion chambers; means whereby the latter hre moved inwardly into the recesses in the inner member whereupon the fuel charges in said combustion chambers are ignited and there being inlet and exhaust ports formed through thewall of the casing on opposite sides of certain of said sliding elements.

'2. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a casing and an inner member, said parts relatively rotative to each other; the inner member having a'plurality of recesses in its circumference; sliding elements the combustion chambers; means whereby the latter are moved inwardly into the 18- cesses in' the inner member whereupon the fuel charges in the combustion chambers are ignited; certain of the yielding elements forming movable partitions dividing certain of the recesses of the inner member into intake chambers and exhaust chambers and .there being, inlet and exhaust ports formed through the wall of the casing, and which ports communicate respectively with said intake chambers and exhaust chambers.

3. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a casing and an inner member, said parts relatively rotative to each other; the inner member having a plurality of recesses in its circumference; sliding elements delivered into the combustion chambers;

and the latter are moved inwardly into adjacent pockets in the inner member whereupon the fuel charges in the combustion chambers are ignited there being inlet and exhaust ports formed through the wall of the casing on opposite sides of other members of said sliding elements; and means for oscillating the said combustion chambers.

4. An internal combustion engine comprising a casing and an innermember having relatively rotary action; diametrically opposite plates yieldingly mounted in radial position inthe casing; the inner member having circumferentially elongated recesses in its cylindrical face and into which the plates are movable, inclined end walls for each recess; inlet ports and outlet ports arrangedin respective pairs to the sides of diametrically opposed members ofa pair of said plates whereby-upon relative rotation of the casing and the inner member burnt gases are expelled from recesses and gaseous fuel is taken into the leading portion of each recess successively; oscillating combustion chambers arranged on the casing so that the swinging ends may enter the recesses successively; means between each inlet port and each oscillating combustion chamberfor compressing the gaseous fuel drawn into each recess; and means for transferring compressed fuel charges from the compressing means into the combustion chambers to be ignited therein; and means for oscillating the said combustion chambers in proper sequence.

5; An internal combustion engine comprising a casing and an inner member having relatively rotary action; diametrically opposite plates yieldmgly mounted in radial position in the casin the inner member having circumferentially elongated -recesses in its cylindrical face and into which the plates are movable, inclined end walls for each recess, inlet ports and outlet ports ar-' ranged in respective pairs to the sides of diametrically opposed members of a pair of said plates whereby upon relative rotation of the casing and the inner member burnt gases are expelled from recesses and gaseous fuel is taken into the leading portion of eachrecess successively; oscillating combustion chambers arrangedon the casing so that the swinging ends may enter the recesses successively; means between each inlet port and each oscillating combustion chamber for compressing the gaseous fuel drawn into each recess; means for transferring compressed fuel charges from the compressing means into the combustion chambers to be ignited therein; means for oscillating the said combustion chambers in proper sequence; and means for closing the the plates are movable, inclined, end walls for each recess; inlet ports and outlet ports arranged in respective pairs to the sides of diametrically opposed members of a pair of said plates' whereby upon relative rotation of the casing and the inner member burnt gases are expelled from recesses successively and gaseous fuel is taken into the leading portion of each recess successively; oscillating combustion chambers arranged on the casing so that the swinging ends may enter the recesses successively; means between each inlet port and each oscillating combustion chamber for compressing the gaseous fuel drawn into each recess; means for transferring compressed fuel charges from the compressing means into the combustion chambers to be ignited therein; means for oscillating the said combustion chambers in proper sequence; means for closing the open ends of the combustion chambers when they are'in the outermost position; and relief valves for the relief of pressure while said combustion chambers are in their outer position in event of premature ignition.

7 An internal combustion engine comprising a casing and an inner member having relatively rotary action; diametrically opposite plates yieldingly mounted in radial position in the casing; the inner memfor eachrecess; inlet ports and outlet ports arranged in respective pairs to the sides of diametrically opposed members of a pair of said plates whereby upon relative rotation vof-the casing and the inner member burnt the swinging ends may enter the recessessuccessively; means between each inlet port and each oscillating combustion chamber. for compressing the gaseous fuel drawn into each recess; means for transferring compressed fuel charges from the compressing means into .the combustion chambers to be ignited therein; means "for oscillating the said combustion chambers in proper sequence; means for closing the open ends of the combustion chambers when they are in v the outermost position; and a back pressure check valve in each combustion chamber.

8. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination with a rotor that is provided inits periphery with a plurality of pockets spaced at equal distances apart, of a housing inclosing said rotor, said housing being provided with diametrically arranged inlet and exhaust ports, a spring pressed plate arranged for sliding movement through the wall of the housing between the'members of each" pair of inlet and exhaust ports, a' second pair of spring pressed plates arranged for sliding movement through the wall of the housing, the members of said second mentioned pair of slidingplates being arranged between the members of the first mentioned pair, and all of said plates being arranged to move into the pockets in the periphery of the rotor, there being compression chambers formed in the housing adjacent to the members of the second mentioned pair of sliding plates and combustion chambers having communication with said compression chambers and arranged on the opposite sides of the members of the second mentionedjpair of sliding plates from said compression chambers.

9. In an internal combustion engine, the combination witha rotor that is rovided in its periphery with a plurality 0 pockets spaced at equal distances apart, of a housing inclosin 'v said rotor, said housing being provided with diametrically arranged inlet and exhaust ports, a spring pressed plate arranged for sliding movement through. the

'l of the housing between the members of eachpair of inlet and exhaust ports, a second pair of spring pressed plates arranged for sliding movement through the wall of thehousing, the members of said second mentioned pair of sliding plates being arranged between the members of the first mentioned pair, and all of said plates being arranged to move into the pockets in the periphery of the rotor, there being compression chambers formed in the housing adj acent to the members of the second mentioned pair of sliding plates, combustion chambers having communication with saidcompression chambers and arranged on the opposite sides of the members of the second mentioned pair of sliding plates from said compression chambers and means for vibrating'said combustion chambers so as to move their open ends into communication with the pockets in the rotor.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

' M. A. WIMBERLEY. 

